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SAN DIEGO-Chicago-based Brookdale Senior Living Inc. makes another aggressive play with its agreement to acquire a $237-million portfolio from AEW Capital Management. The portfolio is made up of eight senior living communities in California, Washington, Ohio and New Jersey and totals 1,172 units.

Representatives from Brookdale and AEW were not available for comment, but a broker from the San Diego office of CB Richard Ellis, who represented AEW in the transaction, describes the deal as extremely complex. Lisa Widmier, senior vice president of the CB Richard Ellis Senior Housing Services Group, which includes David Rothschild and Mary Christian, says the deal was made more complex because it "involved different community types across different regions of the US" and AEW was seeking a single buyer. Previously, five operators managed the eight communities. All properties will now be managed in-house by Brookdale.

The properties in the portfolio range from stand alone assisted living facilities to larger communities, including multi-use facilities that encompass assisted living, Alzheimer's care and a continuing care retirement community. The four California properties include Glenwood Gardens in Bakersfield; Pacific Gardens of Tarzana; Pacific Gardens of Santa Monica and The Gardens of Hillsborough Village in Chino. The two New Jersey communities include Castle Senior Living at Florham Park and Castle Senior Living at Forsgate. The remaining communities include Foundation House at Federal Way in Washington, DC and the Fairways in Wickliffe, OH.